Lawyers to hit streets next week

Kathmandu, April 12-The Nepal Bar Association announced it would hit the streets on April 18 demanding the dissolution of the present unconstitutional government chaired by King Gyanendra.

Terming the government a main hurdle on the path of democracy, the NBA said the government should be dissolved to pave the way for a political way out of the crisis.

“We have decided to urge the King to dissolve the cabinet as the Supreme Court has billed it unconstitutional while issuing a verdict on the formation of the Royal Commission for Corruption Control on February 13,” general secretary of the NBA Madhav Banskota told . “We will hit the streets demanding the implementation of the verdict.”

“Though the verdict clearly states that the sovereignty rests with the people, unelected people have been holding posts in the government,” Banskota said in a press release. With the objectives of pressuring the King to honour the verdict and giving power back to the political parties, the NBA will organise a torch rally on next Tuesday, he said.

Opposing the government move of suppressing the present peaceful movement launched by the seven political parties and calling for the restoration of complete democracy, the lawyers would boycott court proceedings on that day, he said.

The NBA also decided to form a probe committee led by NBA president Shambhu Thapa and prepare a list of security personnel found guilty of violating human rights while suppressing demonstrations. “The panel will collect the list of security personnel involved in rights violations. The NBA will recommend the UN and other international human rights organisations not to recruit the security personnel found guilty of rights violations and not to let them take part in peacekeeping missions,” Banskota added. Demanding the restoration of democracy, the lawyers would stage a sit-in in front of the NBA building tomorrow, Banskota said, adding that they will also participate in a rally demanding complete democracy in the country on Thursday.